1 John 5

King James Version

Full text for 1 John Chapter 5

1¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6¶ This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10¶ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18¶ We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and such faith enables one to overcome the world by keeping God's commandments, which are not grievous. God's greater witness testifies that eternal life is found in His Son, Jesus Christ, and those who possess the Son possess this life. Believers can approach God with confidence in prayer, knowing He hears petitions made according to His will.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins by stating that belief in Jesus as the Christ signifies being born of God, which naturally leads to loving God and His children through obedience to His commandments, which are not burdensome. This divine birth empowers believers to overcome the world, a victory achieved through faith in Jesus as the Son of God. The truth of Jesus' identity is affirmed by an earthly witness of water, blood, and the Spirit, and a heavenly witness of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, who are one. God's record is the gift of eternal life, which is found in His Son; therefore, he who has the Son has life. These truths are written to assure believers of their eternal life and to strengthen their faith. Furthermore, believers are granted confidence in prayer, knowing that God hears and grants requests made according to His will. The text distinguishes between a sin not unto death, for which intercession is encouraged, and a sin unto death, for which prayer is not enjoined.

Long Summary

The chapter opens by establishing that belief in Jesus as the Christ is the mark of one born of God, and this spiritual birth fosters a reciprocal love for God and for those also begotten of Him. This love for God is practically demonstrated by keeping His commandments, which are presented as not grievous or burdensome. A central theme is the victory over the world, which is achieved by all who are born of God through their faith in Jesus as the Son of God. The epistle then presents a powerful testimony to Jesus Christ's identity, citing both an earthly witness of water, blood, and the Spirit, and a heavenly witness of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, affirming that these three are one. The witness of God is declared greater than any human testimony, and to disbelieve God's record concerning His Son is to make Him a liar. This divine record is the assurance that God has given humanity eternal life, and this life is uniquely found in His Son, Jesus Christ, meaning that possession of the Son equates to possession of life. The author explicitly states that these things are written to believers to confirm their knowledge of eternal life and to reinforce their faith in the Son of God. Believers are encouraged to approach God with confidence in prayer, assured that if they ask anything according to His will, He hears and grants their petitions. A distinction is made between a sin not unto death, for which believers should pray for their brother, and a sin unto death, for which prayer is not commanded. The chapter reiterates that those born of God do not habitually sin, but are kept by God, and the wicked one cannot touch them. Finally, the epistle concludes with the profound knowledge that believers are of God, while the entire world lies in wickedness, and that the Son of God has come to grant understanding to know the true God, Jesus Christ, who is Himself the true God and eternal life, ending with a solemn admonition to keep oneself from idols.

Core Concepts

  • Born of GodWhosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and this spiritual birth leads to loving God and His children.
  • Overcoming the WorldThose born of God overcome the world through their faith in Jesus as the Son of God, demonstrating victory over worldly influences.
  • The Witness of GodGod provides a powerful witness concerning His Son, both through the earthly testimony of water, blood, and the Spirit, and the heavenly testimony of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, who are one.
  • Eternal Life in the SonGod's record is the gift of eternal life, which is found exclusively in His Son, Jesus Christ; he who possesses the Son possesses this life.
  • Confidence in PrayerBelievers have confidence in God, knowing that He hears and grants petitions made according to His divine will.
  • Sin Unto DeathThe chapter distinguishes between a sin not unto death, for which intercession is appropriate, and a sin unto death, for which prayer is not explicitly enjoined.
  • Keeping from IdolsBelievers are admonished to guard themselves from idols, emphasizing devotion solely to the true God, Jesus Christ.